On May 9, 2009 demonstrators are rallying against the practice of selling puppies through Petland stores. Their aim is to make the public aware of how pet stores, like Petland, encourage unhealthy breeding practices by selling puppies bred in puppy mills.
Humane Society’s ‘Stop Puppy Mills’ Campaign
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has created a campaign called ‘Stop Puppy Mills’ to shine a light on the devastating effects of puppy mills in America.
In a posting on the HSUS website they made an announcement that on March 17 they filed a class action lawsuit against Petland and the Hunte Corporation, a major pet broker. The HSUS states “The lawsuit includes claims that these companies have been purchasing dogs from puppy mills and are selling sick and genetically compromised dogs to consumers who want a loving companion.”
The Humane Society received many letters from devasted dog owners who purchased puppies from Petland that died or required expensive veterinary care for “parasites, viruses and hereditary ailments”.
What are Puppy Mills?
Puppy mills are businesses that ‘farm’ dogs for monetary gain without care for their health and welfare. Often these dogs are neglected, have little social contact and are kept in unhealthy living environments exposing them to parasites and illness.
Since puppy mills focus on financial gain rather than breeding quality pets, the dogs are often refused basic veterinary care or grooming, live in wire crates or outdoors their entire lives and are bred repeatedly until they are no longer physically able to breed and are then killed.
The puppies that arrive in pet stores and for sale online may come from puppy mills – just like many of the puppies in the Petland stores. Buyers who are swayed by cute faces and pretty websites have no idea of the conditions these puppies were born into, or what the eventual fate of their parents will be.
How Can You Stop Puppy Mills?
Public awareness is a huge step towards clamping down on puppy mills. The ‘Stop Puppy Mills’ campaign reaches out to local groups to help take a stand against puppy mills in their areas.
When purchasing or adopting a dog it is also the buyer’s responsibility to check the breeder or rescue’s history and establish the living conditions of puppies and their parents. Any breeder or rescue who refuses such diligence should not be supported and prospective puppy owners should look elsewhere. Buying a puppy from a puppy mill will only add revenue to their already prospering business.
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